I Used 2 Large Planters to Make a Designer-Inspired Side Table for Under $100

From statement headboards and woven tapestries to fabric-covered nightstands and trays, upholstery and textile touches are everywhere (literally) these days. It’s popping up on the most unexpected of surfaces in homes — even refrigerators! 

Inspired by all of these fabric-covered surfaces, I recently attempted to create something similar to this upholstered drum table from Pierce & Ward. My goal was to put my own spin on this idea to create something similar with a price tag lower than the $1,400 table. I chose a fabric that fit in with my decor — and lifestyle. A slobbery dog and young kiddo existing in the same house as a designer side table would give me too much anxiety! 

When brainstorming how to create the hourglass silhouette I liked so much about my inspo table, I immediately thought of terracotta flower pots.

I knew the size wouldn’t be spot-on, as stacked pots are typically taller and more slender than the original table’s shape, but I liked that they would be super-sturdy and difficult to knock over. As for the rest of the design, well, it just kind of came together with a bit of tinkering! 

While I really love the finished product (and the fact that I was able to create it for under $100), it’s not necessarily a project for a first-time DIYer. (You can probably tell from the supplies list!) I do think, though, there are some takeaways for novices out there. 

• (2) 12″ ceramic flower pots
• (2) 12” round wood tabletops
• 1 1/8” dowel rod
• Construction glue (optional)
• 2 1/2” wood screws 
• Saw
• Drill
• Drill bits

• (3 yards) fabric 
• (2 yards) 1” piping cord
• (2 yards) piping cord (macrame cording also works)
• Iron
• Sewing machine + thread
• Scissors
• Staple gun + staples

I used two 12-inch ceramic planters, round wood tabletops with the same diameter, a dowel rod, and construction adhesive to make my table.

I turned one flower pot upside down and stacked the second on top of it so the bottom sides were lined up together. I ran a wooden dowel through the holes in the bottom of the pots until it reached the floor, then I drilled a hole into my circular wooden pieces that would serve as my tabletop and base. I screwed the tabletop and bottom into the dowel. 

This held the piece together nicely, but you could also use construction glue to assist in holding the circular pieces to the plant pots.

I used fabric, piping cord, a sewing machine, scissors, a staple gun, and an iron for the fabric portion of the project. I’m an experienced DIYer, and the upholstery portion was lengthy and involved, so I’d recommend painting, stenciling, decoupaging, or using fabric glue to cover your hourglass table if you’re not confident behind the sewing machine.

For my upholstered look, I chose to make box pleats in the fabric so the sides of my table were pleated. Stapling the fabric to the tabletop so the lines were straight and taut was challenging. Then I lined the edges of the tabletop with piping I made out of my excess striped fabric. (I used hot-glue to attach the piping.) But you could also hot-glue pre-made piping from your local craft or sewing store if you don’t want to create your own.